I've been involved in the dog food industry for over 20 years now, and every day I'm amazed to see how unregulated this industry is, leaving it up to the good faith of companies to produce good food for our dogs. Fantastic, right?!?
When I ask people with dogs about dog food, I realize that people's perceptions on the subject are far from reality.
One of the questions I ask:
Most dog parents will tell me, "Of course!" The answer is NO…
No regulation or law requires dog food to meet any standards in terms of nutrients and balance. Anyone can decide to produce dog food and decide what goes into it. That's the sad reality! So how do you differentiate between good food and not-so-good food? That's the real question. Chances are you don't have the necessary knowledge. You need to know how to ask the right questions, and nutrition is so complex that it's incredibly difficult for the average person.
So, since regulations are practically nonexistent, it's entirely up to the companies to decide whether to produce quality pet food. For some, it's all about the money, and you'll find everything from low-end food to products sold exclusively by veterinarians in their product lines because, obviously, they cover a larger market and sell more. For others, the well-being of all dogs is paramount, and they will only produce high-quality food. Other companies will use terms like "natural," "with probiotics," and "gluten-free" to make you believe they produce the best food. We're even seeing "eco-friendly" foods now, meaning that because they contain insects instead of meat, they're less harmful to the environment. What does that have to do with dogs' health?!? Others will engage in the traditional price war and lower the quality of ingredients to make a cheaper product. Who do you trust? Do you even know? Who produces the food you feed your dog? Where is it produced? Where do its ingredients come from? Do you have answers to these questions?
Do you trust blindly?
The dog food market is 70% controlled by two major companies: Mars (yes, the same ones who make chocolate bars) and Nestlé, both multinationals. Does that surprise you? There's a lot of money involved!
How can we find our way through all this mess?
At a minimum, to properly evaluate dog food, its container—bag, dish, or other—must include a list of ingredients, a guaranteed analysis (protein, fat, moisture), and the place of manufacture. You might say, "Well, of course, all dog foods meet these criteria!" Well, the answer is still NO!
Once your dog's food meets this criterion, you'll need to move on to evaluating the ingredient list and the guaranteed analysis. Are you able to do this? Most people aren't. However, it's a skill that can be learned, so don't despair!
Discouraged by the number of sick dogs (40% of dogs have at least one health problem), the unregulated industry, companies that prey on consumer ignorance, and the lack of education among dog owners, I decided to create a tool to help you find the best food for your dog. I can't stand seeing people being ripped off and dogs paying the price!
Good decisions start with education, and that's the mission I've set for myself. We all want a happy and healthy dog, and by making the right choices, it's possible to change things. I've been doing this for several years now, simply by improving animal nutrition.
So, don't be fooled anymore and become informed consumers. Educate yourself; your dog will thank you a thousand times over! For more information on our training and to make informed choices about your dog's food, visit www.alimentationcanine.com.
Karine Simard, Agronomist, M.Sc.
Expert consultant in canine nutrition
